Residents of Defence Colony, Indiranagar, have been facing severe problems ever since a project by Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) to replace sewer lines has left their roads in ruins. They have been running pillar to post to get their roads redone and are faced with bizarre issues — BWSSB that dug up the road does not think it has to redo them, the BBMP promises to redo it but cites the model code of conduct, which is in for the Assembly elections, for not issuing a contract and asks the residents to wait till the elections are over.
A drive through the area reveals roads that kick up clouds of dust every time a vehicle passes by, loose stones and manholes that are a hazard to children and senior citizens, and an air quality that forces residents to wear masks around their own colony. A previously friendly neighbourhood has become hostile to joggers, cyclists and motorists, say residents.
“The collateral damage to the roads is not being acknowledged as something that needs fixing. Since the beginning of March, we have approached administrative officials, elected representatives, just to understand why there isn’t a plan, and when we will get our roads back. We have several assurances from commissioners of both the BWSSB and the BBMP, but no response on timelines”, said Vidya, a resident of the colony.
The code of conduct prevents new sanctions and tenders from being taken up for a period before the elections for fear of influencing the results. The residents argue how redoing a road that was dug up for a work can be a new project. “That means those who dug up the road had not included restitution of the road to normalcy in their plans and tenders, which is shocking,” Ms. Vidya said. However, senior BBMP officials said this was a recurring problem with BWSSB works, where the restitution work they do is only close the trench they dig up and cover it with a few stones.
A zonal BBMP official said due permission had been taken and as per procedure, the work was carried out. “We made provisions for restoring the roads with wet-mix. In our estimate, the restorations have been done as per procedure. The asphalting will be done soon.” However, he did not commit on a timeline.
Approached CEO
The residents even approached the Chief Electoral Officer to seek an exemption for the work. However, he only wrote to the Chief Secretary, who, in turn, wrote to the Additional Chief Secretary of the Urban Development Department, who, in turn, instructed the BBMP Commissioner to resurface the road co-ordinating with the BWSSB.
However, the BBMP seems to have moved no further. Mayor R. Sampath Raj being the Congress candidate for C.V. Raman Nagar constituency, of which Defence Colony is part of, has only complicated the matter, sources said.
Residents suffer
Meanwhile, residents, especially children and senior citizens, continue to suffer. Ranganathan, 69-year-old resident of the colony, said, “We were all regular walkers. My 86-year-old cousin and her husband, who is 90, used to walk from 3rd Main up to 6th Main to remain active. They had to stop because the roads are no longer suitable.” An 86-year-old woman resident said, “It has affected my mobility on the roads. The dust is unspeakable, and nothing is being done about it. It is affecting our health.”
